June 9, 2014

in the good old summertime

I thought I'd take a break from playing catch-up in the garden to pop in and say hi.

No Spring clean-up last year + hardly any summer maintenance + very little fall clean-up = total chaos.

Dandelions and thistles and lots of grass in places that grass should not be.

My usual Spring schedule has me outside at least eight hours a day, and I was pretty bummed to discover that I don't quite have the energy back to pull off that kind of ambitious agenda. I was actually bragging to whoever would listen that I was back to 100%, but that was before I added outdoor chores to my life.

Dang!

But, there is light at the end of the tunnel, and I'm hoping to be totally on top of things within a couple weeks because this summer is totally going to make up for last summer.

62 comments:

I was wondering how you were doing and how all the flowery yard work was going. Take it easy and don't over do it. I know it's tempting to get everything back to tip top shape but make sure you take care of yourself first.

Love the wall color in the last picture! You must share the name of it. It's fabulous!!!

Woo-hoo, you posted! I love that little sitting area in front of the window, it is just so pretty. I am a rat pack kind of girl in the early evening with the twinkling lights on and a cool drink by my side. Give me a little Frank, Dino and Harry Bellafonte or Connick, Jr.) and I am completely mello and content. I can't wait to see what suggestions everyone else comes up with. I hope you share the list you come up with and lots of pictures of your gardens. So happy all is well!

Oh my! Your photos of your interior are absolutely gorgeous! I love the color of your walls, and the leaded glass window (I had windows just like yours in our previous house and I still miss them) and the chairs and pillows....all of it! I'm glad you're feeling good and the summer sun will surely help get you get your mojo back.

Summer music? You are My Sunshine (our granddaughter has been singing it to me) and let's go way back with Lookin' Out My Back Door by CCR, and Put the Lime in the Coconut. Have a good day!

Hello, my friend! So nice to see a post from you. Love your chairs and pillows. I love listening to Nina Simone- My Baby Just Cares for Me and Love Me Or Leave Me are my favorites also Toto-Georgy Porgy and Summer Breeze by The Isley Brothers.

I'm always so happy to see a post from you Teresa!! I don't think I could ever tire of your lovely posts!! (hint hint) It's good to hear that you are feeling almost like your old self. I'm sure you are enjoying working on your beautiful flower gardens. My mom had broken her ankle last year and then had a few set backs with he RA and wasn't able to get out last year and she is so happy to be out piddling in her yard again! :) As always your photos are beautiful! The room pictures is divine, even more so with the beautiful lilacs! :) Hmmm, summer music, being a baseball fan all I can think of are somgs like "Take Me Out to the Ballpark" and "Centerfield." ;) :D Hope you sahre your gardens with us!!

Like everyone else, I was so thrilled to see your post today, and I LOVE your beautiful pictures! Okay, happy, upbeat songs....Here are the songs that always put an extra bounce in my step and a smile on my face: --What Is Life -- George Harrison --Titanium -- David Guetta --Wouldn't It Be Nice -- Beach Boys --Hunk of Burning Love -- Elvis --Hot Stuff -- Donna Summer

Does my age show? Ha! Take care, and please keep us posted on your gardening progress!

Oh. My. Goodness. That white edged lilac against all that turquoise loveliness too my breath away. I bought a bush of that but it never bloomed white edged, only old farm lavender lilacs. I need to try again. We have a lilac test garden north of Oregon and in Washington - every variety you could imagine. I almost missed the lilac bloom as we were at the coast for my birthday and they bloomed early. Happy music? "Don't Worry, Be Happy" by Bobby McFerrin. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

you have one of the PRETTIEST BLOGS of all and I have missed you! Such pretty pictures on today's post! summer songs-----------"Summer Nights" from Grease. "Those Lazy Hazy Crazy Days of Summer" (old one!! dont even know the artist)

Today I will be singing . . . yay, yay meadow brook teresa stopped in to play . . . Nothing like "best news ever" to see your Meadowbrook Farm in the reader column . . .So happy to hear from you! I hope you were able to do some of your delightful

Lovely. Truly lovely. Lilacs are my second favorite flower and they just don't grow here in the South. Growing up in New England, they were everywhere and their fragrance just carried through the air. Oh, thank you for these photos.

Great to see you post, I have missed you!! Your vignette in the pictures is just lovely. You have such elegant taste! Being able to work in the garden for 8 house a day is an amazing feat to me so am not surprised you aren't quite there yet. Your summer plans sound great and for songs I would say, Happy Pharrell WilliamsSurfin' U.S.A. Beach BoysSummer in the city The Lovin' SpoonfulFootloose Kenny Loggins

Strange mix when I look at it :>) How is Izzy?? She must have grown! Best wishes to you!!

Oh so glad you are back, I look for you everyday hehe, Love you're home and colors. Because of you I an hubby have painted 3rooms (copying ur colors),and gone vintage in the kitchen. lol AND I have started a flower garden using all your tips AND its all living lol. Anyway, my happy song is It's a Beautiful Morning by the Rascals, I have quite a bunch but I'll make it a short list. No Shoes No Shirt No Problems, Kenny Chesney..Oh so funny beautiful morning just came on..I hope you feel better an wait to read your posts..

- Best Day of My Life - American Authors (not the best singers but it's so catchy!)- Beautiful Day - Michael Buble (OK, I only knew the chorus of this song - which is so happy and bright! - up until a few days ago, and then I listened closer to the rest of the song Who would've thought it's about a guy dumping a girl! But it's a fun one anyway.)- Everybody, Ingrid Michaelson- Good Life, One Republic- This is a slower one, but it makes me oh so happy: "Seven Years" by Norah Jones- Mat Kearney has some good ones

I wish you the very best as you work with the strength you have and will gain back. I had a cancerous tumor removed in October and it left my leg very weak and the muscles have become very atrophied. I start physical therapy tomorrow to regain some of that leg strength back. I also just did some flips on the trampoline for the first time today while my kids cheered for me. This whole experience sure has changed the way I look at things nowadays.

Anyway, I hope the rest of your summer is delightful and triumphant as you regain strength AND your gardens back!

Hi Teresa!I just noticed your post in my bloglovin' feed & decided to click over & get caught up on anything I missed! MAN! I definitely missed some stuff!

I'm so sorry to hear about your breast cancer diagnosis & your lousy summer last year! My mom was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2004, and I watched her battle it with everything she had. It was a long & difficult journey, but she is alive & well today! Almost been in remission 10 years now!!

I'm so happy to hear that you are doing so well & that you had such a good prognosis!! I hope you have a wonderful summer this year & make-up for everything you missed out on last year! You deserve it girl!! ((Hugs))

p.s. that wig halo thing was the coolest thing I have ever seen!! Definitely filing that one away!

So glad to see another post from you. I have missed your lovely pictures and so relatable words! One of my favorite summertime songs is "My Maria" {Brooks & Dunn}. That was a big hit the summer I learned to drive ;)

So glad you are gardening and blogging...love your blog. Is so beautiful.The thing that made me happiest this week...my windows are clean:)I remember the song "I Love" by Tom T. Hall ( I think) and it ran thru my mind as I read your blog this morning.Terri

I'm a little late to the party, but I'd like to add, Michael Franti and Spearhead's "The Sound of Sunshine" to your playlist. It epitomizes summer to me. :o) And, of course, anything Beach Boys related. ;o)

I'm delighted to hear you're able to spend time working in your gardens. I'm looking forward to enjoying the fruits of all your labor. :o)

Hello there! Happy to see you're back in the garden doing your thing. :-) I keep a new-to-me list of songs on my phone and this is in pretty heavy rotation for me. You might like the video too -- lots of pretty still photography. xo

Hi, your Lilacs are gorgeous! Love them paired with the aqua. Glad to hear that you are back out there, even if you don't have your old strength back yet. I love gardening and continue to do it, even though it tuckers me right out. Truly mental therapy for me! When summer comes I can't help but think of the song, "Dancin in the Streets". I remember having outdoor dances when I was young and how much fun they were.hugs,Jann

Love all of the songs! and love your decor...could you tell me what color of paint the walls are? It looks green but not sure. Love it with the other colors. Please keep showing us more...wonderful eye candy! Glad to hear you continue to get stronger. You go girl!

I am so, so, so HAPPY to see a post from you....means your on the mend and up swing.......every day will get a better !!!! Your home, beautiful as always !!!!!!!!!!!!! as far as songs goes, not good at remembering titles.....but summer time always makes me think baseball, so "Take me out to the ballgame", also all that good patriotic music you hear in parades and at The Capitol Fourth, love it, gives me goose bumps !!! Again, glad to hear from you....hugs.....

I don’t think my first comment went through. So happy to see your post and your beautiful pics! You are doing what you do best--everything beautiful :) Missed you and so need some garden posts so I can swoon some more over your beautiful place! Big hug to you!Amy at Verde Farm in West Virginia xoxoxo

Just popped by to see how you were doing and saw this. Beautiful photos as always. I hope you're gaining back some energy for all those outdoor gardening chores. We planted a vegetable garden this year and we'll soon have tomatoes coming out of our ears. ;)

Summertime isn't summertime in SC without beach music! Anything by General Johnson and Chairman of the Board = my favorites. Others:Knee Deep by Zac Brown Band (bonus Jimmy Buffet!!!)Kiss Me by Sixpence None the RicherWhere the Green Grass Grows by Tim McGrawSister Golden Hair by AmericaTake it Easy by EaglesWalking on Sunshine by Katrina and the Waves

Those are the ones that popped in my head. There are so many that take me back to summers past.

Hi Teresa! I have so, so missed your posts and photos...they feed my soul in a way I can't explain and I don't get anywhere else. No words for how beautiful these are. Praying that the summer is unfolding as you hoped! I'm so glad to hear health and hope returning for you. Many blessings :)

Just wanted to let you know - I've been thinking about you!! Hope all is well...

These photos are gorgeous!! But, you know that... you took em.

Songs? The birds singing in the early morning while hanging up the laundry or flitting around the tree tops... prettiest singing..ever. Besides a melodious hymn or two here and there...Whatever fills your soul... sing it loud and clear.

So Glad to see you post and that you are on the road to a full recovery, continued prayers for you and your lovely family. How are the boys and new daughter in law? Are still doing your photography business? My choices for up beat summertime fun music would be1. Don't Worry Be Happy- Bobby McFerrin2. Girls Just Want to Have Fun- Cyndi Lauper3. Summer of 69- Brian Adams4. Wake Me Up Before You Go Go- Wham5. Summer- The CarsAnything Bob Marley or Elton John and possibly a little Dancing Queen in there some whereHave fun, take loads of pictures, Breath and shake your grove thing Lady you deserve it.